Fry the bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat until the bacon becomes almost crispy.
Add all the other ingredients (including the bacon) to the crock pot – reserve the butter for later.
Cook on low for 6 hours or High for 4 Hours. Check your potatoes for doneness after the cooking time is up. Add additional time if needed; the timing will depend on how thick your potatoes are cut.
Fifteen minutes before you’re ready to serve, add the butter into the crockpot and stir to distribute the butter all over the green beans and potatoes.
Notes
Can I use frozen green beans?Yes. And they do not have to be defrosted.If I use a different type of meat, will the flavor change much?Somewhat, but not by too much. For example, if you choose to use a smoke wood bacon, your green beans and potatoes may have a slightly smoky flavor. Beef and turkey bacon typically yields the same taste like pork. Another meat option that works well is kielbasa sausage or chunks of ham.Can I use a different type of potato?You'll see most green bean and potato recipes call for red potatoes because they typically hold up better in longer cooking times. Not to mention, these are the perfect size when quartered and easily become fork-tender without falling apart. If you don't have red potatoes, use what you have on hand; be sure to cut them small enough for thorough cooking.Must I cook the bacon first?The texture of bacon needs to be cooked at a higher temperature to get the right texture. Otherwise, it will be chewy/soggy. The browned bacon will give MUCH more flavor than raw bacon to the dish.Can I freeze potatoes?Potatoes aren't the best for freezing. They can become mealy after being thawed.